(19)

(11)

EP 1 173 302 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/04 (21) Application number: 00922377.7 (22) Date of filing: 26.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B23K 26/04 (86) International application number: PCT/CA0000/472 (87) International publication number: WO 0064/622 (02.11.2000 Gazette 2000/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 27.04.1999 US 131138 P (71) Applicant: GSI Lumonics Inc. Kanata, Ontario K7K 1Y3 (CA)	(72) Inventors: KITAI, Anton, Theodore Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0J6 (CA) MILLER, Ian, James Gloucester, Ontario K1T 3S1 (CA) PARKER, Robert, Glenn Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7Z3 (CA) (74) Representative: Bannerman, David Gardner et al Withers & Rogers, Goldings House, 2 Hays Lane London SE1 2HW London SE1 2HW (GB)